What are the benefits and drawbacks of working from home?

UNICORN BLOG

Remote Working

People choose to work from home for many reasons but what are the benefits and drawbacks? Is it really as effective and productive as working in an office?

The benefits of working from home

There are a number of benefits to working from home that can positively affect a person's job satisfaction and improve their work-life balance.

1. Reduced costs

Working from home can reduce the costs associated with commuting. With fuel prices and public transport sharply increasing, this can be a welcome reduction in expenditure.

Saving on office lunches, and other expenses associated with working away from home can really help to balance the budget. Especially when rising inflation has stretched everyone's expenses over the last year.

2. A more flexible work schedule

Working from home offers a more flexible work schedule that can be tailored to fit their lifestyle and commitments.

Remote workers are able to work when it's convenient to them, rather than follow the traditional 9-5 schedule. A working pattern that can accommodate other responsibilities such as child care and looking after elderly relatives, can be really beneficial.

Remote employment can make people feel like they have more control over their own time, such as taking breaks whenever they need them and adjusting their schedule to suit their lifestyle.

3. Reduced stress levels

Working from home can be a great way to reduce stress levels. They don't have to worry about the commute or being stuck in their workplace all day.

Some people benefit from not being confined to an office. Working from home means that they don't have to work alongside noisy and disruptive co-workers, which creates a more relaxed and less stressful work life.

This can increase productivity, improve focus, and lead to a sense of achievement.

4. Increased creativity

Research from Owl Labs shows that remote workers are generally happier and experience greater creativity than their office based colleagues.

The freedom and flexibility that working at home provides, allows them to break away from their regular work routines and explore new ideas. This gives them the opportunity to think differently and develop innovative solutions to work related problems.

People who work from home are able to take more breaks, and work at their own pace. This can provide them with a new perspective which enhances their imagination and inspiration.

5. Reduced environmental impact

Working from home can help reduce a person's environmental impact in several ways:

Eliminating the need to commute can save fuel and reduce emissions.
A reduction in the use of paper and other traditional office materials.
Decreased wear and tear on equipment.
The ability to control the amount of waste they produce by recycling and composting.
Reduced energy consumption (business premises can consume a considerable amount of power).
Reduction in their carbon footprint by choosing green energy sources of power to run their home office.

6. Improved productivity

Without the demands of a commute, remote workers can get more done in a day than they would if they were in an office environment.

If they are fortunate enough to have their own home office, there can be fewer distractions than in an office environment. This can be more conducive to concentration and increased productivity.

7. Choice of work environment

While some people find that they are most productive in an office setting, others benefit from tailoring their work environment.

Remote workers who are based at home can choose to design their own work spaces to make them fit their individual requirements. This may include adding spot lighting, choosing comfortable furniture, or playing background music.

8. More freedom

When working from home, many remote workers enjoy greater freedom to set their own hours. This can enable them to allocate time for exercise, hobbies, and socialising with family and friends.

Enjoying more freedom to work in a way that fits their lifestyle can create greater job satisfaction.

The drawbacks of working from home

There are a number of drawbacks to working from home that can impact job performance and work satisfaction.

1. Increased isolation

One of the main drawbacks to working from home all week is isolation. People can struggle to feel part of a team because they are disconnected from their colleagues.

Some remote workers feel lonely because they miss the interactions with their co-workers and are not able to socialise with them so easily outside of work. In an office environment it is much easier to meet up over lunch or after work for drinks.

2. Limited networking opportunities

Many people find it difficult to network when they are working from home.

With the isolation of remote work, it can be difficult to build meaningful professional relationships with colleagues that could enhance their employment and promotion prospects.

Being based at home can prevent them from attending social events or participating in other activities that could lead to new business opportunities.

3. Reduced productivity

Working from home can have a negative impact on productivity as it can be difficult to stay focused when they are in their home environment. There are often distractions that can interfere with work such as the TV, pets, or children playing in the background.

Not having the structure of an office setting can make it harder to stay productive and on task, especially if there is no dedicated place to work.

4. Increased susceptibility to cybercrime

People who work from home are vulnerable to cyber-attacks as they are generally not protected by the security measures that are in place in office premises.

Cyber-attacks can result in the theft of sensitive information such as clients' personal details, finances, business research, and new products in development. These can be very difficult and costly to recover.

5. Lack of collaboration opportunities

One of the biggest limitations to remote working can be the lack of collaboration opportunities. Many remote workers find it difficult to collaborate with one another without being in the same physical space.

When working from home, remote workers are limited to collaborating with their co-workers via email, phone, or video conferencing.

This can make it harder to build relationships with colleagues and make working together on joint projects more difficult.

6. Reduced communication efficiency

Due to the increased distance between remote workers and their managers, communication can be slower and less effective than when employees are located in the same work place.

They may miss out on important information that could affect the quality of their work.

7. Lack of support from an employer

Many employers are not providing the necessary support for employees who are working from home. This can include everything from technical support to mental health resources.

Without this support, remote workers may not be as productive as they would in an office setting.

8. Reduced work benefits

When employees work from home, they can miss out on important workplace benefits like social interaction, mentorship opportunities, and access to company resources.

Remote workers can also lack some of the work benefits enjoyed by office-based colleagues. People who work from home may have different contracts that offer less bonuses, limit annual leave, have reduced private health insurance, and other perks.

9. Poor work-life balance

One of the biggest drawbacks to working from home is that is can be difficult to maintain a good work-life balance. It is easy to let work encroach on leisure activities and time usually spent with family, which can cause arguments and resentment.

Despite the freedom to set their own schedules, surveys show that people working from home tend to work longer hours, take reduced breaks, and exercise less, which can have a significant impact on their health.

The benefits of remote working at Unicorn Studios

There are many benefits to working at Unicorn Studios, if it is difficult to be productive when working at home or you are feeling isolated away from your colleagues.

We have all the advantages of a modern office coupled with a thriving community of professionals who enjoy collaborating and socialising.

We offer very flexible membership packages that can be easily tailored to your individual circumstances.